Molestation case disrupts Assam Assembly proceedings

The shocking molestation incident -- when a girl was abused and assaulted on the streets of Guwahati in full public view -- rocked the Monsoon Session of the Assam Assembly.

Opposition All India United Democratic Front legislators demanded an adjournment motion to facilitate a discussion on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Speaker Pranab Gogoi was compelled to adjourn the proceeding for 15 hours to restore order in the House. The Speaker ordered the suspension of all 18 AIUDF legislators and called in marshals to evict them, but later withdrew it.

When the House reassembled, the AIUDF members continued to disrupt proceedings for 30 minutes before they walked out in protest, as the Speaker did not heed to their demand for an adjournment motion.

Once the Question Hour got over, opposition Asom Gana Parishad and Bharatiya Janata Party members demanded an adjournment motion to discuss the law and order situation in the state.

The Speaker asked members of the AGP and the BJP about the admissibility of an adjournment motion, as demanded by them.

In response to arguments put forward by legislators of the AGP and BJP, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka said the motion was not maintainable as the matter was sub-judice.

The Speaker then assured the opposition members that as an adjournment motion could not be granted, he would find another device to facilitate a discussion over the matter.

The Speaker said, "This (molestation of the girl) is definitely a matter of urgent public importance and it has tarnished the image of the Assamese society. I have no words to condemn it and I appeal to the government to take all possible steps so that such an incident never recurs."

He pointed out that all the members of the House were equally concerned about the incident and the government was also taking steps to arrest the culprits.

"But as the matter was sub-judice, we have to find another device other than adjournment to discuss the matter in the House," he added.